Yosemite Forum

We have had some discussions recently about the wisdom of posting all of our trip reports--especially the ones that point people to those out of the way corners that have yet to be discovered by the great social media masses. Fair enough. We can certainly share their concern that every secret corner will someday be mobbed by a multitude seeking a selfie.

So we decided this time to just post some of the ways you can find a little solitude in the Sierra...

Get off the internet. If you want to escape the crowds, get your information somewhere else.

Get on the internet. Search the web for less used trailheads, difficult passes, and tough climbs.

Get out the Map. You just might discover that little lake only a half-mile off the main trail.

Avoid trails that have "trademarked" names: PCT. JMT, HST, etc.

Go Early. You will likely see far fewer people.

Go Late. late in the season or late in the day, there are fewer people about.

Go Middle of the Week. And avoid those big crowds.

Go up. The tougher the climb, the most likely that most people will choose another route.

Go Long. Hike in an extra day, and you'll have the place to yourself

Camp away from water. That granite knob above the lake will have great views, and far fewer mosquitoes.

Go Off Trail. And leave the foot traffic behind.

The full article is here:

https://www.backpackthesierra.com/about-3

So what did we miss, or what did we get wrong?

This has been a concern of mine for years.
Great article but it does promote some nonsense.
In another forum a guy that I actually met accidentally on the trail, got into it and I made a comment about places I have found for solitude that if I visit several years later remain untouched. He got all pissed off and asked me why I kept them hidden from the world. Well DUH!!! I don't want them over run with A-holes.
I told him you post your special places and have them overrun with tourists leaving behind unburied crap and FritoLay bags. I won't have anything to do with that.
As a matter of fact one of my special camping places down to Glen Aulin(2nd night, perfectly legal) had someone take a dump on a rock, covered it in a bunch of TP sitting on top of a rock. Now, the actual campsite was still pristeen, but close by was the mess.
I cleaned it all up put the TP and crap in a Zip-Loc and carried it out. Sorry but that deserves a WTF

Another perspective on social media and the outdoors: www.theguardian.com/travel/2022/jul/07/ ... t-outdoors